100 Years Ago: Harold Gordon Newton Returned to England Voluntarily, Farmerettes to Stay, Poster for June 3rd, Request for Merchants to Decorate Properties for Carnival

The Intelligencer May 31, 1918 (page 2)

“Returned Voluntarily. England, May 11th. The Editor Daily Intelligencer, Belleville, Ont. Dear Sir:—Some of my friends in France have received word from Belleville, that I was brought back from Canada under escort.

I wish to deny this utterly, as I volunteered to come back to England again, strictly of my own accord. Of course, I do not know who is responsible for starting such a rumor, but I consider it rather a mean and underhanded piece of work, considering that I have been nearly four years in the service, the greater part of which I spent in France. I expect to be going to France again shortly, so if it is not asking too much I wish you would let the people of Belleville know the real facts. I am, Yours sincerely, No. 40465 Gun. H. G. Newton, ‘C’ Battery, Can. Res. Artillery, Whitby Camp, Surrey, Eng.”

The Intelligencer May 31, 1918 (page 3)

“Farmerettes to Stay Despite All Protests. Farmers Who Doubted Their Ability Are Now Wavering in Views. ‘I am actually becoming a good milker—not that I have milked more than three cows as yet, but I am quicker than I was.’ So writes one of the fashionable farmerettes to Miss Hazel Martin, director of the women’s farm department of the Government Employment Bureau. She is working on a mixed farm in Frontenac County. …

That the farmers who have not tried out the so-called farmerettes, are still rather dubious, is a known fact, but it is also seen that they are ‘coming around.’ … Worried fathers invade the offices every now and again to find out what on earth those ‘crazy daughters of theirs’ are trying to do anyway.

The farmers’ wives seem to favor the farmerettes from the start, however, even though their better half is opposed. After a great deal of family controversy on one farm as to whether a farmerette should be employed, the farmer gave his consent. In telephoning to the employment department asking for one, the wife said to Miss Martin, ‘Now please whatever you do, send me a girl that my husband won’t be able to say, “I told you so,” about.’

And so it goes, but still the farmerettes seem to be here to stay.”

The Intelligencer May 31, 1918 (page 4)

“Belleville’s Biggest Day, June 3rd. Spend the Best Day of Your Life the Guest of Canada’s Heroes on Monday!

Two Spectacular Street Parades 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. A Big Card of Athletic Events. Star Baseball Game, Belleville vs. Picton. Help Make June 3rd Belleville’s Biggest and Best Day. Many Thrilling Novelty Features Worth going miles to see.

Hastings’ and Prince Edward’s Great War Veterans’ First Annual Re-union, King’s Birthday.”

The Intelligencer May 31, 1918 (page 7)

“For the Soldiers of the King. The Great War Veterans’ Celebration Committee are anxious to have the city in gala attire Monday, particularly they ask the merchants along Front and Bridge Streets to decorate properly, and thus create an atmosphere of real patriotism. Let every business house and every home hang out every flag and every piece of bunting obtainable, and show visitors that Belleville is thoroughly wide awake and progressive.”